Card Imagery Description

A man sits on a stone seat with a town in the background. A Pentacle rests upon his head. He holds another like a shield at his chest. Below his feet rest two more Pentacles. His face looks tense and strained. The Pentacles are large and quite solid-looking. He keeps a tight hold of them, so we must assume they are very valuable and of great importance to him. To him they might even be the most important thing in the world. As Pentacles represent the material world it becomes rapidly obvious that this man is obsessed with money or his possessions. Just look at him. The Pentacles are is in his hands, on his heart, under his feet and on his mind. He clutches one of the Pentacles to his chest and holds on tight, afraid that someone may try to take it from him. However, we see that he is alone so what does he think is going to happen? We wonder if he ever takes a break from guarding his things or God forbid, share them with someone else. Is he is the sole beneficiary of these Pentacles? Are they all for him? He looks like he has room for little else if these Pentacles take up so much of his time. Where did he get them from? How did he come to acquire so many and why are they so large?

If we cast our minds back to the Three of Pentacles it becomes clear who this man is. Is he not the Apprentice we met who was diligently working on the construction of the spiritual building? He certainly has done well for himself. The apprentice has gained skills and reputation. All the effort put in in the Three has paid off and the money or success has begun to manifest. He wears a golden crown which symbolises that the Apprentice is now a man of no mean status. His crown means only one thing and that is he is the ruler or owner of a substantial empire, business or his world. He is building success upon success and is known to have the ‘midas touch’. Anything he touches turns to gold.

Ambitious from the very start in the Ace, he has always wanted more. At this early stage of the journey he seems to be achieving it. As the Apprentice, he knew he had to put in his time working for someone else while learning his trade. However, he learned more than his trade. A shrewd business man in the making, he could see how much his employers were making and believed that he could do the same if not better. He saw the possibilities, the potential and when eventually he was ready to fly on his own two wings, he especially saw the prosperous looking town in the background with its thriving business and trade. He knew exactly where he was going and what he had to do.

He had saved hard over the years, putting away as much as he could while denying himself treats and even basic comforts at times. He knew he needed a certain amount of money to get started and then it would make more money for him. He has made much, much more by the looks of it but I believe he looks on his success as only the start of it for he is now obsessed with acquiring more material wealth. He sits on his own, atop a cold grey stone seat and at a distance from all the hustle and bustle of the town. He certainly needs the townspeople when it comes to supporting his business but probably for very little else. This man may deliberately isolate himself. He may prefer money and his things to people or company.

Note the colour of his clothes. He wears a dark brown habit with a thin blue band on the hem. The predominance of brown suggests his connection to the Element of Earth and the material world. However, over this he wears a black cloak. The black introduces negativity into the picture. Black represents the absence of colour and this man may lose sight of the simple things in life in his quest for material gain. He will have to learn that money cannot buy everything, especially happiness, and that in time he may become a slave to all that he possesses. For all that he has materially gained he cannot even muster up a smile to show his delight or enjoyment. He could even become extremely lonely. The Four of Pentacles is often referred to as the “Miser Card” and we can almost hear him grumble “they are all mine, all mine”. We also see a bit of Gollum from Lord of The Rings in the Figure on this card. Gollum was obsessed with a ring and spent his whole time trying to acquire it or hold onto it. He spoke to it like a baby calling it “my precious”. The Figure in this card may find that his need for having and possessing make him appear greedy and lacking in compassion.

Financial security is very important to this man and part of his holding onto his Pentacles has to do with his very Pentacle-like nature. As we know, the Pentacles tend to prefer the Long-term plan and usually establish goals from early on in life. They are very ambitious and driven. This man is not just thinking about the here and now or how much he will make next year or the year after. He is also thinking of his own future and how much he will need for it as the years go by. It is no use if he makes money now when he is young, fit and healthy only to lose it to old age or ill-health. Certainly not, for he is taking steps to make provisions for his retirement and will want to ensure he is more than adequately looked after. Therefore, he realises the importance of investing in his future and will be holding onto or setting aside a fair chunk of his Pentacles for this purpose. It is for certain that he will have several saving plans and insurance schemes set up on his behalf. He will have done his research well, and only invested in those companies that gave a guaranteed return. This Pentacle Figure does not like to take risks with his money.

The Pentacles clutched by the figure in this card do not necessarily have to be monetary. Anything that is considered valuable, be it his time, affection, friendship or privacy may be withheld or guarded closely. He is reluctant to let people get close to him or get to know him for they might look for something from him. He prefers to keep to himself and may be quite unapproachable in manner.

We wonder if this man will ever be content with what he has and if he will ever feel he has acquired enough. We must ask ourselves if he has cause to be so obsessive with having and getting? What was his background or upbringing like? If he experienced hunger or poverty in the past he may now have a fear of scarcity. This is bound to make him worry about money all the time, even if he has lots of it. He may find it hard to relax and enjoy his wealth. Instead he might be afraid to spend any of it as he will worry about it running out, or not having enough when he needs it. He may be paranoid about others trying to take it from him too and sees scammers and thieves in everyone. He may hoard money or stockpile supplies. He needs to let go a little and enjoy the rewards of all his hard work. He needs to splash his cash around a bit and buy himself a few little luxuries. He has plenty to go around and is financially secure so he need not worry. All work and no play made Jack a very dull boy.

This man in the Four of Pentacles appears to be in charge and quite rigid in his stance. The Pentacle held over his heart and the crown he wears symbolise his personal power which he guards closely. It also looks like he may have chosen it as his family crest, which he is proud to display for this is his land and his realm. Both proud and stubborn in personality he becomes the brick wall when people attempt to move him or ask him to change his mind or position on a particular issue. He has set beliefs and opinions which he will rarely budge on and cannot be easily emotionally swayed. He does things his way, and, that is that. He will dig his heels in should anyone try to change him. He will hold on and hold out until the very last.

A hoarder and collector, this man finds it difficult to let things go, even himself. He views everything as possessions; those he already owns and those that he desires to own. When he does find himself a partner no doubt he will view her as a possession too and possibly exert control over her every move. He may not be too generous with either his gifts or time as he is known to be stingy in relationships. One thing is certain though, and that is, he will know more about her than she will ever know about him. He also has a nose for fortune hunters too who might only be after him for his money so no need to waste your time in applying for that position if that is what you had in mind.

Traditionally this card also referred to blocked drains and constipation!!! I wonder why?

With few friends and very little in his life except money and possessions I do hope that the sun continues to shine for him and that he continues to be successful. I don’t think he would deal well with failure or loss. We shall see.

All in all, The Four of Pentacles is a very positive and welcome card in financial readings for it speaks of financial stability, security and success. Students heave a sigh of relief, for this card, when upright, brings success in exams. Commitment to ongoing study ensures that all knowledge learned is retained.

Meaning

When the Four of Pentacles appears in a reading concerning finances you can relax. Money has always been a big issue with you and no one can accuse you of being wasteful but the pressure is off. Where money is concerned you are secure and not just for today or for tomorrow but the long-term financial situation looks stable too. You have plenty to go around so stop worrying and enjoy yourself a bit more. They say that money is no good unless you can spend it, and a certain amount of this is true. Having money does not mean that you must spend it all, but certainly it should be giving you some comfort in life, and not kept under tight guard all the time.

Fear of scarcity is often related to The Four of Pentacles so you may worry unnecessarily about money if you have come from a background of poverty. This leads you to hoard or penny-pinch, even when you have enough money. Your fridge may be overly-stocked on the basis that you will never go hungry again, or empty because you fear wasting money on items you may not get to eat. Financial security should bring relief, but deep down the old hunger and want knaws away at you. Nothing is thrown out that can be mended and your house may be full of broken down and worn out items, decor and furniture unchanged for years, just because they are still functional. You may get no joy out of money and find both having, or not having it, embarrassing or shameful.

When this card appears, you must also ask yourself what is it that you won’t let go of? What are you holding onto or holding out for? What do you think is so rightly yours? What are you afraid of, if you do let go? What does letting go of it mean to you? Is what you are holding onto making you happy? Is it worth all your energy? Is what you are holding onto tied up in just routines, habits and familiarity or is it something of real value to you? Are you being asked to let go of it by someone else or is the call from within? Do you fear the changes it will bring to your life or are you prepared to take a risk?

The Four of Pentacles is a positive and welcome card for savings, investments or retirement plans. It indicates that you are accumulating goods, wealth and possibly even power. Your financial situation has been steadfastly growing over a period of time but this is not by chance or even pure luck. On the contrary, you have been working extremely hard and have several long-term ambitious goals that you are determined to reach. What is it that you have been saving hard for? Where the Four of Pentacles is concerned it more than likely a large purchase. You could be saving for College, to buy a house, a car, a business, travel or even a horse. The Four of Pentacles tells assure you that you have the money for it and a little more besides.

The Four of Pentacles is a card for having enough belief in yourself to go it alone. You may now wish to be your own boss, and very importantly, set your own boundaries. Setting boundaries is very strongly linked to The Four of Pentacles. You may be building walls around your self to control who has access to you or not, in an attempt to safeguard your privacy or assets. You know exactly what you are doing and how to go about it. When this card appears, it very definitely acknowledges that you are in power and nothing gives power more so, than strong financial stability. You must be careful not to let this sense of power go to your head and become full of your own importance. You may cut yourself off from those who have helped you along the way. You may need to call on their help some day.

The Four of Pentacles suggests that you may now be in a position to accumulate assets or possessions. You might be setting up a business or even several. Judging by the capabilities of the Apprentice in the Three, you may be buying up property left, right and centre with a view to developing them to sell on for a profit. Whatever it is you are doing, your reputation is steadily building and you are in high demand. You don’t come cheap but you have excellent standards and the quality of your work is highly valued by those who seek you out. The Four of Pentacles suggests you have the Midas Touch at the moment. This is a card for success and success building upon success.

The presence of the Four of Pentacles may indicate that you are trying to hold onto something or declare ownership. You may be involved in a legal case (look for Swords cards) where there is a dispute over land, business or property that you see to be rightfully yours. You will be guarded and constantly on the lookout for those who are trying to take it away. When this card appears upright it would suggest that you will be able to hold onto it. A lot of tension will go with this situation.

Along with Financial security, the Four of Pentacles is linked to rigidity and control. The Emperor of the Major Arcana (another (IV) card has taken over. You may have a habit of keeping everything and everyone in order around you. You or someone you know may be setting boundaries and restrictions or demanding obedience and compliance from all. You may have become out-dated in your ideas and behaviour but dig your heels in regardless, becoming very obstinate and opposed to change. On the other hand, you may feel terribly blocked from making progress in life. Do you feel that someone is standing in your way or that they won’t back down on an issue or refuse to compromise? You may be stubbornly holding onto a situation or position that no longer serves your best interests. Maybe it is time to let go. It may all come down to just being a habit, but fear of change keeps you clinging on relentlessly.

Another strong feature of this card is obsessiveness and meanness. It can be a sign that you have been neglecting friends or family by being mean with your time, resources or money. Your busy life might be getting in the way rather than any nasty intentions, so no need to feel guilty if this is the case. However, you may have a need to “have and get” all the time and the need to claim ownership. You may look upon your friends or family as possessions also, and expect them to be at your beck and call. It can be a sign of being self-centred when all you can think about is yourself and your needs. You could have vast wardrobes of clothes, with many still unworn yet you still crave more. You may find it hard to share with others or to give without expecting to receive. You think you need all that you have, but you don’t. You have more than you can cope with but you are afraid to let go, or refuse to. Such meanness of spirit will block your heart and turn you cold.

You can also have a habit of keeping yourself to yourself when The Four of Pentacles appears. Privacy may be extremely important to you or it could be, that you feel people will be looking for something from you if you let them get too friendly. You may be trying to protect yourself from the demands of family and friends. You may fear being under obligation to anyone or anything. There could be someone you know who could do with some financial help, yet you fail to make even a token gesture. You would never ask anyone for help and especially money, so don’t see why they should come bothering you.

In a relationship reading The Four of Pentacles often suggests thatone partner is withholding their affection from another or keeping a secret. There may be a selfish parnter who only gives if they are sure they are going to get something back in return. It can suggest a partner who is more concerned with material things than the relationship. They could be spending too much time at work even when it is unnecessary.

The Four of Pentacles is a warning flag for jealousy and possessiveness in a relationship. A claustrophobic and controlling relationship could be indicated as one partner is closely guarded and watched by the other. He or she may be looked on as the possession of their partner who dictates to them what to wear, where they go and who they see. Look for cards like the Five of Swords, Eight of Swords, Reversed Court Card (especially Swords) or the Reversed Emperor. Remember that this is a Stage Card and the couple in question may give the outward appearance of being happy and loving but it may be very different behind closed doors.

With the Four of Pentacles we get the possibility of a partner who controls the finances or holds back on money in the relationship. There can be hidden bank accounts. General Stinginess within a relationship is common when this card appears.

The Four of Pentacles can also suggest loneliness in a relationship. You may appear to have everything but inside feel empty and alone in the relationship. You may be trying to keep up with wealthy friends and neighbours, especially if one partner is financially and career ambitious. This may not be your background or the people you would choose to live next to. You could feel out of your depth or have nothing in common with them.

On the other hand, the Four of Pentacles can represent a couple who are saving hard for their future. Everything they have is going into their savings account, leaving little for anything else. They may be saving to get to get married, buy a house or even set up a business. This is a successful, ambitious couple who will have no problem putting the time in, saving hard and making all the sacrifices that go with it. They will certainly reach their goal as planned and on time.

As a couple you may be very self-sufficient and do not need to rely on others around you to make you happy. You may keep to yourselves and closely guard your privacy. This may be the way you naturally live your life as a couple, but on the other hand, you may have good cause to.

Career related, The Four of Pentacles augurs well for business or employment prospects. It suggests a A financially successful business which is growing steadily and is stable and secure. A lot of hard work has gone into the establishing of this business and it shows. The market has been researched well and the staff highly qualified and well-trained. It can suggest the building of an empire. Success building upon success as the orders flow in.

If you have been offered a job by a particular company and this card appears it highlights a financially sound establishment with great employee saving and insurance schemes. It can suggest a job offering excellent salary but it can also suggest holding back on a pay rise depending on surrounding cards. This will be a very work-oriented company with little time for sitting around and chatting, so you will find that everyone keeps their head down and gets on with their job. It will be a great place to work and you will get well paid but don’t expect to be cut any slack or get too casual with your colleagues. The people who own this business live and breathe it and will expect their staff to do likewise. Everything will be about the ‘Brand’.

On the other hand, you may find you are working for a sound company but that it is terribly outdated. You may be fresh and driven with lots of wonderful ideas but you have a boss or board of directors who block any attempts you make to update and modernise. You could very well end up well-paid but terribly frustrated and bored. You could be working in a family business and feel that it is time for your parent or parents to hand over the reins of power to you, but they stubbornly hold on regardless. They refuse to retire or take a less active role in the business. It is they who established it and consider it their baby and no one else’s. They will hold on until the bitter end.

You may be saving to establish your own business. There is a great sense of ambition here and strong determination. Take care not to get too rigid with your business plans. Be open to outside ideas. You have to move with the times in business, therefore, new approaches may be necessary. You may be attempting to secure loans for your business venture and the upright Four of Pentacles would suggest that you are likely to be successful once you have done your homework, and have a well put together Business Plan, with realistic cash flow projections.

Health wise, constipation or bowel problems may be plaguing you. On a spiritual level, your health problems, if no medical diagnosis is found, may be related to the holding onto of old emotional or psychological baggage. You may hold the key to your own healing by releasing these repressions through meditation, counselling, energy healing or hypnosis.

All in all, The Emperor is content and happy that everything is as it should be and under control.

When the Four of Pentaclesreverses it can go to either extreme with equal ease and you will need to look to supporting cards to intuitively determine which extreme is active. Let us first look at its positive aspect.

Instead of the stinginess and mean-spirited attitude and behaviour we now find generosity and sharing. You may consider yourself in an advantageous position whether financially or strategically and wish to help others or be of use. Instead of sitting on what you have or possibly what you know there is a desire to include others and even outsiders.

As far as money is concerned, it is no good if you cannot enjoy it so you may find yourself embarking on a spending spree after a long period of abstinence. Safe and secure in the knowledge that you are financially very stable you can take your foot of the pedal and heave a great sigh of relief.

If you have been saving hard for a long time then the Four of Pentacles reversed can indicate that you now have enough money for whatever it is you wish to acquire. It is now time to make your purchase and relax about it. This card would refer to a substantial purchase, so it may be the purchase of a house, land, car or business. It may also refer to an education fund for college. The reversed Four of Pentacles sees the money being withdrawn or released. You no longer have to hold on so tightly to it.

If you have been waiting for a claim or inheritance to pay out then this reversed card may indicate that you won’t have to wait much longer as the wheels are in motion for releasing the payout. This should relieve the ongoing tension and stress that has surrounded this situation. The payout may also be considerable.

Open to change and new ideas, you may be considering taking a risk or doing something which involves a bit of a gamble. You may be getting out and about with the hope of meeting new friends instead of keeping to yourself all the time. You could be letting bygones be bygones by being open to forgiveness and reconciliation. A secret or scandal that has been kept under wraps for a long, long time is now out in the open.

You might also be in the process of a personal transformation and are shedding your old outdated self for something more modern and stylish. Wardrobes may be cleared, hairstyles changed and hemlines shortened. It might not just be you who is getting the make-over as your home probably has needed revamping for a long time. You could be holding car boot sales or letting family, friends and neighbours take what they want from all the stuff you have hoarded over the years. The reversed Four of Pentacles brings a much-needed and long over due shedding of the old in favour of the new and novel. It is a card for liberation, cleansing and purification.

In a relationship the reversed Four of Pentacles can represent a partner who is very giving and sometimes to a fault. The trouble is that they can give more than you can ever hope to return which can be a bit embarrassing at times but it is what makes them happy. It suggests a relationship that is built on openness, honesty, sharing and generosity. There is likely to be a joint account with complete transparency and equal access. Problems are aired and discussed rather than repressed “Your problem is my problem so I want to know if you are not happy”. This couple is safe and secure in their relationship and can cope with the financial ups and downs of life as money does not define who they are. They enjoy it when they have it and shrug their shoulders when they don’t.

If you have been in a controlling possessive relationship then this reversed Four could find you eventually turning your back on it and getting the hell out. You may be letting go of a relationship that has had its day as you accept that it had all become a bit of a habit. You may unfortunately be realising that money cannot buy you happiness and hopefully you have not left it too late to bail out.

In business this card could represent a company that shares its profits with its employees. A company that encourages openness and freedom within the workplace. It may suggest a complete overhaul of a company as new ownership or management takeover.

The Emperor in the above environment will be feeling slightly uncomfortable with all this openness, sharing and breaking down of boundaries. He may feel he has lost a bit of control. The Emperor needs to let his hair down every now and then and lighten up in his stern attitude. He can take a break from watching over us for a while.

And so on to the other extreme. The negative aspect of the Reversed Four of Pentacles can find that money is literally slipping through your fingers. You are not keeping an eye on your finances or sticking to a budget. Spending may be reckless with multiple credit card bills mounting. You have an inability to save and are better at spending money than earning it. Gambling can be a problem with this card as with all the Pentacles when they reverse. Pentacles in their upright are careful and cautious with money by nature and work hard to earn it but when they reverse there can be attempts to turn a quick buck or make a big kill which often blows up in their face. You could be lured by a ‘sure thing’ or ‘get rich quick scheme’ to your detriment. There could be substantial loses or even bankruptcy. Surrounding cards would indicate what is at risk and could relate to property, job, relationship. On the other hand, people may see you as someone who is over-cautious with their money and rarely spend on anything.

This reversed card will warn you that money can be made or saved but only through the old-fashioned way and that is hard work, discipline and patience. You must rein yourself in before it is too late. Use the tried and tested avenues to build financial security and not through any hair-brained schemes.

The Reversed Four of Pentacles often warns of a poor return on an investment or investment in an unstable establishment. Remember the Stage Card Aspect, the Establishment may on the outside look financially healthy with big flashy offices, staff extremely helpful and interested staff but may be in the process of going down the tubes and your money with them. You may not get the return you desired or any at all.

You may feel blocked and hampered at every turn as you feel unsuccessful in all your attempts to make something of your life. You may feel that someone is standing in the way of you getting to where you want to go and making things difficult and awkward for you. You may feel like a complete failure and down on your luck.

If you have been looking for a loan then you may experience obstacles and delays with securing funding or approval. You may be seen as high risk so make sure that any business plans and cash projections can stand up to high scrutiny and close inspection. This reversed card also brings problems with getting paid for work done and this can be catastrophic to your cash flow if you have had to pay up front for goods and staff.

On the other hand, your problem could relate to being bled dry by those around you. You may have some hangers-on who can always rely on a free lunch when you are around. There could be friends and family who rely on you to support them. They may see you as having more than enough so feel it is only fair that you should be happy to hand it over when they come with their hands out. If you have status or power you may have friends who feel famous by association. The demands being made on you may not be purely financial but may relate to your time or attention. Everyone wants a bit of you and it can all become overbearing.

In relationships you may find a financially unstable partner or one who is happy to spend yours while they hold onto their own. “What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is my own” may apply. You may be in a relationship where you give more than you ever receive. There could be guilt on either side with being in the relationship only for financial gain or status. You may love your partner’s money more than you love them. You could be involved with a fortune hunter or gambler who is thieving from your account, wallet or purse. By the time you find out, your savings may have disappeared along with your partner. However, it may purely suggest that one partner is currently unemployed and relying on the other financially through no fault of their own. You really need to use your common sense and intuitive response to determine what the case may be so look to the surrounding cards, go back to the question and communicate with the querant as this is a tricky card when it appears reversed.

The controlling aspect of the upright Four of Pentacles can become extreme in the reversed as one partner completely dominates the other. Jealousy and possessivness may be intense. Money may be used as a weapon in the relationship or withheld as punishment. You may discover that your partner has had a secret bank account.

Security may be an issue with the reversed Four of Pentacles. Something of value, worth, or importance is not being properly guarded or looked after. You may be at risk of losing something or having it taken from you. There may be opportunists or thieves around and you have become to laid back. Make sure your house, car, valuables and savings are secure.

With the letting go aspect of the reversed Four this could have a negative reaction in you depending on your personality and circumstances. You may find it impossible to hold onto anything as the having and getting goes into overdrive. Nothing holds it appeal for long and you are constantly replacing that which you have just got. You may find no real value or worth in anything. Nothing is important to you in your life and nothing is for keeps. You are never content with the way things are and could be constantly doing up the house and changing things.

In business there could be a significant financial loss and would generally suggest a financially unstable business establishment. Investments could collapse or payment for goods or services withheld. Staff could be let go and problems with redundancy pay may surface as companies go bankrupt. This card could represent a company or business that has gone under because they failed to keep up with the times. Outdated services, methods and systems may leave them drowning in a sea of state of the art competitors. As a business person you may be guilty of being out of touch with your clients and the market. You may be reluctant to invest in new equipment or technology but you must remember that money is an energy and sometimes it has to be spent in order to generate more.

Due to recession, you may feel blocked from advancement in your career or resent salary cuts and obligatory unpaid overtime.

This card reversed traditionally does not augur well for students as it can suggest failure in exams and lack of qualifications. This may be down to crashing for exams or lack of commitment. The student is not able to retain sufficient knowledge to pass the exam.

The Emperor is extremely unsettled and will be anxious to get his house in order again and as soon as possible.

* When we next visit the Pentacles in Card Five, it will be interesting to see if business is still booming with them. Will they manage to ride out the recession or will they too take a hit like the rest of us?

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Okay so i am glad I came here it confirmed my thought of it. Telling people to pay attention that there is a time to be generous but there is a time to be frugal and in this case I was getting the need to tie up the finances on this one. So glad my intuition isn’t so bad after only one cup of coffee. Bright Blessings to you <3

The House of the violet flame is an informative site that is avaiable to enhance your meditation, memories and connection to your Higher Self. For those who are connected to the 7 rays, who walk most of their time on clouds.